Shipping an electric vehicle costs $700 to $2,100 in 2026, typically 10 to 20 percent more than an equivalent petrol car because EV battery packs add several hundred pounds. Most carriers ask for a charge level between 40 and 60 percent at pickup, and some require it in writing.
Understanding electric vehicle shipping cost in advance allows you to budget accurately and recognize a suspiciously low quote before it becomes a problem at pickup. The sections below walk through pricing, charge requirements, and how to prepare your vehicle for the road ahead. Get your free, price-locked quote today and ship your EV with full visibility into every cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship an EV?
Most EVs cost between $700 and $2,100 to ship, depending on transport type, distance, and vehicle weight. Open transport sits at the lower end of that range, while enclosed transport for higher-value models runs closer to the top.
Transport Type | Typical Cost Range |
Open (economy) | $700-$1,300 |
Open (standard) | $1,300-$1,600 |
Enclosed (premium) | $1,600-$2,300+ |
Distance plays a large role too. A short regional move of 300 to 500 miles typically falls between $550 and $950, while a long-distance move of 1,000 to 2,500 miles runs $1,200 to $2,100.
The electric vehicle shipping cost you see quoted reflects more than mileage alone. Carriers factor in the added weight of the battery pack, current fuel surcharges, and how many vehicles can legally fit on a single load once your EV is included. If you are comparing electric vehicle shipping cost rates across a few brokers, ask each one to break the quote down by transport type and distance, the same way the table above does.
So how much electric vehicle shipping cost actually comes down to for your specific move depends heavily on whether you choose open or enclosed transport, which the next few sections cover in detail.
Why Do EVs Cost More to Transport?
EVs cost more to transport mainly because of weight. Lithium battery packs add roughly 30 percent more weight compared to a similarly sized gas-powered car, and that extra weight limits how many vehicles a carrier can legally haul on one trip.
This weight penalty affects electric vehicle transportation across the entire industry, not just a single carrier or route. Fewer vehicles per load means each one absorbs a larger share of the trip's fixed costs, which shows up directly in your quote.
A few other factors compound the difference:
Specialized handling protocols for battery safety add time to loading and unloading.
High-value models often require enclosed transport, which carries its own premium.
Insurance requirements tend to run higher given the cost of EV components and sensors.
For a broader look at how these variables interact across vehicle types, our comprehensive guide to transporting a vehicle covers the fundamentals that apply to every shipment, EV or otherwise.
What Charge Level Do Carriers Require?
Most carriers require a charge level between 40 and 60 percent at pickup, and some ask for this in writing before they will load the vehicle. This range balances two competing risks: too little charge, and too much.
A battery charged near 100 percent carries a higher thermal risk during transit, which is a real safety concern for carriers hauling several vehicles at once. On the other end, a battery below 20 percent risks draining completely during the trip. If that happens, some EVs engage an electronic parking brake that makes the car impossible to roll off the trailer without an expensive winching fee.
Before pickup, carriers typically ask you to:
Confirm your charge level falls within the 40 to 60 percent range.
Disable scheduled charging so the car does not try to wake up mid-transit.
Turn off Sentry Mode or similar security features that drain the battery unnecessarily.
Do EVs Need Enclosed Transport?
Enclosed transport is not required for EVs, but it is strongly recommended for higher-value models. It protects the battery tray and sensitive underbody sensors from road debris that open trailers cannot shield against.
The low ground clearance common to many EVs makes this protection more relevant than it is for a typical sedan. Road debris that would only chip paint on a standard car can strike closer to the battery housing on an EV, which is part of why insurers pay closer attention to this detail.
Enclosed transport typically costs 40 to 60 percent more than open transport, largely because covered trailers carry fewer vehicles per trip. Whether that premium is worth it depends on the vehicle:
Standard EVs: open transport is usually sufficient and keeps costs closer to the lower end of the range.
Luxury or performance EVs: enclosed transport protects expensive sensors, cameras, and low-hanging battery components.
Any EV in winter weather: enclosed transport reduces exposure to road salt and debris that can affect the undercarriage.
Not every provider handles enclosed EV transport with the same level of care, and real differences exist among electric vehicle shipping cost companies in how well their enclosed fleet is equipped for battery vehicles specifically. You can review the full details of both options on our enclosed transport and open transport service pages.
How Should You Prepare an EV for Pickup?
Preparing an EV for pickup involves a few extra steps beyond what a standard gas car needs, mainly centered on the battery and onboard software. Skipping these steps is one of the most common reasons EV pickups get delayed.
Before the driver arrives, plan to:
Charge the battery to the 40 to 60 percent range carriers typically request.
Disable Sentry Mode and any similar always-on security features.
Turn off scheduled charging so the car does not attempt to charge mid-transit.
Hand over the key or fob with instructions for putting the car into transport mode.
Remove aftermarket battery monitors or loose charging cables from the vehicle.
Our prepare your car for shipping guide and our car shipping checklist both walk through the general prep steps that apply alongside these EV-specific ones. If you want the fuller picture across vehicle types, our comprehensive guide to shipping automobiles covers the basics that apply to any car, electric or otherwise. A dependable electric vehicle shipping cost company will walk new EV owners through this checklist unprompted rather than leaving them to figure it out alone.
Common Questions About EV Shipping
Shipping an electric vehicle raises a few specific questions that gas-car owners rarely need to ask. Here are direct answers to the ones we hear most, along with a few practical electric vehicle shipping cost tips worth keeping in mind before you book.
How much does it cost to ship an electric car?
Most EVs cost between $700 and $2,100 depending on distance and transport type. Enclosed transport and longer distances push toward the higher end of that range.
How charged should my EV be for transport?
Between 40 and 60 percent. This range reduces thermal risk from a near-full battery while ensuring enough charge for loading and unloading.
Are EVs more expensive to ship than petrol cars?
Yes, typically 10 to 20 percent more. The added weight of the battery pack reduces how many vehicles fit on a single carrier load.
Can a Tesla be shipped on an open carrier?
Yes, open transport is common for Teslas and other EVs. Enclosed transport is recommended but not required, especially for higher-value or performance models.
Will transport drain my EV battery?
It can, if Sentry Mode or scheduled charging are left active. Disabling these features before pickup prevents unnecessary battery drain during transit.
If you are searching for electric vehicle shipping cost near me hoping to find a local specialist, keep in mind that EV expertise comes from a carrier's history with battery vehicles, not where their office sits. Requesting an electric vehicle shipping cost quote from a couple of providers and comparing those electric vehicle shipping cost quotes side by side is one of the simplest ways to confirm you are working with a provider offering genuine electric vehicle shipping cost service rather than a generic one.
Ship Your EV With Confidence
Electric vehicle shipping cost comes down to a predictable set of variables: distance, transport type, and the weight penalty that comes with a battery pack. Knowing your carrier's charge requirements and prepping the vehicle correctly avoids the most common causes of delay at pickup.
Most EV shipping issues trace back to preventable mistakes: a battery charged too high or too low, an active security feature draining power mid-transit, or a carrier unfamiliar with EV-specific handling. Checking electric vehicle shipping cost reviews and running a rough number through an electric vehicle shipping cost calculator are both worth doing before you commit. A cheap electric vehicle shipping cost is rarely the best electric vehicle shipping cost once your vehicle is on the truck, since the lowest number often reflects the least experience with battery vehicles.
Our team understands the specific handling EVs require, from charge levels to enclosed transport recommendations, and we build that expertise into every quote rather than treating it as an afterthought. Get your free, price-locked quote today and ship your electric vehicle with a carrier that knows the difference.
